Walnut Dusted Oven-Baked Apples and Pears

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It can be said that a mom rules over her home like a queen over her kingdom. This Mother’s Day, give mom the royal treatment with walnuts, (yeah, I said walnuts!) the nut once deemed “Jupiter’s Royal Nut” (juglans regia) by the Romans, in a delicious meal topped with a SMART Walnut Dusted Baked Apples & Pears dessert. As part of the SMART Menus Program, Walnut Dusted Baked Apples & Pears is a tasty treat that will show mom you care about her and her health!

Walnuts, once thought to be the nut of an ancient Roman god, are the perfect ingredient to show how much you care – jam-packed with great flavor and nutrients. The Walnuts Dusted Baked Apples & Pears recipe is simple, fun to make and, if sprinkled with some walnuts and a little love, can be the crowning dish this Mother’s day.

Before spring fruit arrives in the market we rely on apples and pears for great fresh flavor. The honey and vanilla combines with the lemon juice to create a delicious sauce. Use all apples or all pears if necessary… it’s more important to choose ripe fruit and cook until tender rather than relying on cooking time alone.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 pounds ripe apples; peeled, cored and quartered
• 1 1/2 pounds ripe pears; peeled, cored and quartered
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350′. Lightly butter a 9-inch (8-cup capacity) oval gratin baking dish. Add the apples, pears, cranberries, lemon juice, honey, and vanilla; mix well. Bake until the fruit is tender, can be 30 minutes or up to one hour. Sprinkle with walnuts and serve hot or at room temperature.

Serves 6

This recipe was created on behalf of the Smart Menu campaign, which aims to change the way America eats while providing individuals with the knowledge to make smart food choices.

Recipe Courtesy of Tina Salter